Director, Pathology

Wave Life Sciences is a biotechnology company focused on unlocking the broad potential of RNA medicines to transform human health. Our RNA medicines platform, PRISM, combines multiple modalities, chemistry innovation and deep insights in human genetics to deliver scientific breakthroughs that treat both rare and prevalent disorders. Our toolkit of RNA-targeting modalities including RNAi silencing and RNA editing provides us with unmatched capabilities for designing and sustainably delivering candidates that optimally address disease biology.

Our diversified pipeline is focused on our obesity, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and PNPLA3 I148M liver disease programs and includes clinical programs for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Huntington’s disease, as well as several preclinical programs utilizing our versatile RNA medicines platform.  Driven by the calling to “Reimagine Possible”, we are leading the charge toward a world in which human potential is no longer hindered by the burden of disease.

Description The Preclinical Development Pathology Group is seeking an on-site accomplished Director-level Scientist to provide strategic pathology leadership across discovery and development programs. This role will generate decision-enabling pathology data, support nonclinical safety assessment and candidate advancement, and partner closely with internal teams and external providers to advance Wave’s pipeline.

ExperienceDVM or equivalent degree with ACVP or ECVP board certification required

D. in Pathology, Toxicology, Immunology, or related discipline preferred

Responsibilities

Provide strategic pathology leadership across pharmacology, investigative pathology, and preclinical safety studies to support target identification, candidate selection, biomarker development, and efficacy assessment

Perform primary pathology read and peer review regulatory and non-regulatory studies, ensuring scientific rigor, data integrity, high-quality reporting, and regulatory readiness

Shape study strategy, protocol design, data interpretation, and report content in partnership with toxicology, discovery, CRO, and technical teams

Serve as the accountable Project Pathologist for assigned targets, therapeutic areas, and development programs

Partner across functions to evaluate candidate risk, investigate mechanisms of pharmacology and toxicity, and guide risk mitigation strategies

Advance digital and translational pathology capabilities, including image analysis algorithms and biomarker-focused approaches

Contribute to scientific innovation and external visibility through cross-functional collaboration, external engagement, and publications

Key Skills Senior-level expertise in toxicologic and/or investigative pathology, with experience generating data that informs portfolio, program, and governance decisions

Experience supporting drug discovery pharmacology, investigative toxicology, mechanism-of-action studies, and development-stage programs

Strong knowledge of GLP regulations, regulatory expectations, pathology peer review, documentation quality, and regulatory readiness

Expertise in oligonucleotide therapeutics, including antisense oligonucleotides and siRNAs, preferred

Experience in academic, CRO, biotechnology, or pharmaceutical settings, with demonstrated effectiveness in cross-functional drug development programs

Knowledge of advanced pathology methodologies and digital pathology/image analysis platforms, including IHC, multiplex IHC, ISH, immunofluorescence, H&E/IHC image analysis, multiplexed cell phenotyping, and HALOStrong ability to communicate pathology strategy, study results, and actionable recommendations to scientific, project, and leadership audiences

Ability to lead and prioritize multiple concurrent programs…